Oxygen demand regulator



May ll, 1948.

OXYGEN DEMAND REGULATOR Filed Jan. 25, 194s` 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HHHI ` LEONARD Amsefms L. A. wlGGlNs 2,441,216

@y M, 194 l.. A. WIGGlNs OXYGEN DEMAND REGULATOR www Filed Jan. 25, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LEONA@` l AWE! NS Patented May 11,1948

U l TED STATES PATEN T OFFICE 2,441,216 OXYGEN DEMAND REGULATOR Leonard A. Wiggins, Akron, ,Ohio application January 25, 1946, Serial No. 843,452 y 'zo claims. (ci. 12s-140.1)

This invention relates to improvements in oxygen regulators oi' the demand type wherein oxygen is passed through a mask into the mouth or nose of a person using the regulator as such person inhales.

An object of the invention is to provide an oxygen regulator of the demand type which is absolutely reliable under allconditions ofservice, the oxygen ow being under control so as to furnish the proper amount of oxygenl at all times.

Another object is to provide an oxygen regulator of the type referred to wherein the oxygen, or other gas, is made available to the user with the least possible exertion on his part, it being only necessary to inhale normally to insure receiving an adequate supply. Thus the regulator is suitable for use at high altitudes, for supplying oxygen to patients in hospitals and for administering certain types oianaesthetics.

A further object is to provide a regulator of the type referred to having a chamber in which a diaphragm is mounted for movement by inhalation of the user, against the action oi' a spring which tends to return the diaphragm to its initial position, said diaphragm being connected to a small shaft which operates a bell crank arrangement that moves a pilot or primary slidable valve to admit oxygen under pressure from a passageway leading from a source oi supply into a pilot chamber.

A further object is to provide a secondary valve operated by the pressure of the oxygen in the pilot chamber, to admit oxygen from a high pressure chamber into a passageway from which it may be inhaled by the user of the device.

A further object is to provide an arrangement whereby if the pressure of the oxygen in the pilot chamber is not sufllcient to operate the secondary valve or to open the latter enough to let the desired amount oi. oxygen through the vsecondary valve, the latter may be operated mechanically by movement of the primary valve in engagement with the secondary valve, which movement may be accomplished by an increase in the inhalation of the user through movement of the diaphragm.

A further object is to provide a separate passage from the pilot chamber into the passageway leading to the breather, which passage is closed by a pressurevalve which will be unseated when the pressure in the pilot chamber builds up to a desired maximum, so as to avoid locking the secondary valve open unduly long at the end of the inhalation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the regulator;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through elo the regulator with the `to portion i2 by'screws it,

parts inl their initial position; y y e Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view oi' the passage leading into the pilot chamber and the primary valve closing the passage;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the pri-- mary valve moved by the diaphragm and bell crank arrangement. and with the secondary valve opened by pressure in the pilot chamber;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view somewhat similar to Fig. 4, except' that the secondary valve is shown opened by the mechanical action of the primary valve;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 2: and

Fig. 7 is a similar fragmentary section taken substantially on line l-'l of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings the numeral i@ designates a housing as `a whole, preferably formed of aluminum or other suitable material, having a rectangular body portion i l and an annular upper portion i2, as viewed in the drawings. A cover plate i3, preferably formed of the same material as the housing, cooperates with the portion it to form a diaphragm chamber that receives a rubber or rubberized fabric diaphragm it, which divides the chamber into an outer chamber l5 and an inner chamber i5'. The cover plate 'is secured or the like, and vis perforated as at il so that the outer diaphragm chamber i5 will be in communication with the atmosphere. As clearly shown in Figs. 2, t and 6. the outer edge of the diaphragm is provided with a bead i8 of conventional material that is suitably clamped between cover plate it and portion i2 of the housing so as to have ample room for movement of the diaphragm as hereinafter described.

The rectangular portion li oi the housing is provided with a longitudinal bore it that extends the bore is reduced in site at 2i. Portion il is also provided near its front end with a diagonal passageway 22 that leads from the inner diaphragm chamber l into a transverse secured to or the like,

substantially duced end 52 of ing therethrough, and

arranged and held in place by the plug. Ring 3l carries'. a smaller ring 32 formed of rubber or other suitable material, and the opening in ring 32 provides a valve seat 33.

A semi-spherical valve 84 which will be referred' to as the secondary valve, having a riattened head 35 and an elongated stem 38 is movable into and out of engagement with the valve seat 33. As shown, the rear end of the valve stem 38 is threaded and extends through an opening in the rear wall of a slideable cylinder 31, being held therein by means of nuts- 38 threaded on the stem. The cylinder 31 is slidable in the bored front end 39 of plug 28, and inside this cylinder, surrounding valve stem 36, is a coil spring 48. Gne end o spring d8 bears against the rear wall of cylinder 31, while the opposite end engages the spacer ring 3l, the arrangement being such that the spring has a normal bias to hold the cylinder so that the valve 34 is seated, as shown in Fig. 2.

Cylinder 31 has a port di, a portion of which is always in alignment with a port d2 formed at the front end of plug 28, and thelatter port is in iixed alignmentV with port 21 of the housing. With the arrangement shown, the reduced end 2i of bore i9 constitutes a high pressure chamber 43 which is closed when valve 34 is seated, but when the latter is unseated, gas in chamber 43 will pass through the ports 4i, 42 and 21, into the passageway 28. In order to insure proper alignment of ports di, 42 and 21, and'to prevent any possible rotation of the cylinder might result in misalignment of these ports, a countersunk screw or pin 4 i extends through the wall of plug 28 adjacent its bored front end, into an elongated slot 42' formed in cylinder 31. Thus the cylinder cannot rotate but is free to move longitudinally.

Intermediate its ends, plug 28 has a cut-out portion 44 which is in alignment with asimilar portion 45 in the housing, and the latter portion is covered by a plate 48, secured to the housing by screws 41, so as to prevent communication between portion 45 and the inner diaphragm chamber i'. Cut-out portions 44 and 45 form a pilot chamber 48 which communicates with port 28 through a port 43 formed in the plug 28.

The greater portion oi the central area ci the diaphragm I4 is preferably provided on both sides with discs 58, formed of Bakelite, aluminum or other suitable material, which are secured to the diaphragm by a nut 5i` threaded on the rea reciprocating shaft 53, which end passes through the center of the diaphragm and the discs. Shaft 53 passes through plate 48 and has a seal 54, formed of soit rubber or other suitable material, which is secured to one lside of plate 46 as at 55. f

The inner end of shaft 53 has a pin 56 extendpivotally secured to each end of this pin is one end of a pair or parallel bell crank levers 51. Levers 51 are pivoted intermediate their ends as at 58 to the adjacent wall of plug 28, and their opposite ends carry small inwardly directed pins ES which are received in an annular groove 88 formed adjacent the front end of a slidable valve 6l, which will be called a primary valve, mounted for movement in a longitudinai guideway 82 formed in the plug.

In the inner diaphragm chamber I5', a at spring 83 is mounted, having one end secured to the housing as at 84, while its opposite end yis secured on the reduced end 52 oshaft 53, as indicated in Fig. 2. Spring 83 has a normal bias 31 which pilot chamber 48 vwage 12 in the housing it is necessary tending to hold the diaphragm in the position shown in Fig. 2. Obviously. movement of the diaphragm inwardly, from its position in Fig. 2 to its position in Fig. 4, will pivot the bell crank levers 51 and slide the valve 8| from its Fig. 2 position to its position in Fig. 4. As will be later explained, inward movement of the diaphragm is accomplished by inhalation of the user of the device, and spring 63 usually assisted by some gas pressure, will return the diaphragm as well as the other moving parts to their initial position as the user exhales.

At its iront end, valve 8i carries an insert 88, formed of rubber or other suitable material, which initially seats against a valve seat 68 formed at the reduced end of a passageway 81 that extends longitudinally through the plug 28 and is closed o at the rear by screw y68, or the like. Passageway 81 communicates with a trans- 'verse passageway 39 that has its outer end closed by screw i8, or the like.

Extending longitudinally through portion il of the housing is a passageway 1i, which at its rearend passes through a suitable opening in gasket 38 and continuesv into communication with the passageway S9. At its front end, passageway 1i joins a transverse passageway 12 which communicates with the high pressure chamber 83. The housing has an annular extension 13 into which is threaded the inner end of an inlet line 13, that leads to a source of supply (not shown) of gas, preferably but not necessarily, oxygen. The intake line 13 communicates with a small passage 15 that leads to the passageway 1l.

As more clearly shown in Fig. 6, pilot chamber d8 has a lateral extension 16 that communicates with a passageway 11 formed in the housingl which passageway is reduced to form a valve seat 18 which normally receives a ball valve 'is held in place in a valve chamber 88 by a small coil spring 8i. Valve chamber 88 is formed in a threaded extension 82 of the housing and is closed at its outer end by a threaded cap 83 which holds the spring 8l in place against ball 13. Leading diagonally from valve chamber 88 into passageway 24 is a passageway 83.

In order to drill the port 21 and the passageto provide openings through the adjacent outer wall of the housing, which openings are closed respectively by screws 85 and 86, or the like.

The front of the housing 81 secured thereto by means of screws 88, or the like, which pass through a flange on the nozzle into the housing, a suitable gasket 30 being inserted between the flange ing 9| through the nozzle member communicates at one end with passageway 23, while the other end leads into a rubber tube 92, or the like, which leads to the mouth or nose or both of the user of the device, through any suitable type of mask (not shown).

The operation of the device is as follows:

Fig. 2 shows the initial positions of the parts when the device is ready for use. Gas, up to pressures of say 50 lbs. per square inch, and higher, enters through the inlet 14 and passes in one direction through passageways 1l and 68 into passageway 61 in which it is held by the primary valve 8l. In the other direction, gas passes through passageways 1i and 12 into the high pressure chamber 43 where itis held by the secondary valve 34. It will also be observed that with the parts in their iniital positions, the

is in communication with pashas a nozzle member and housing. The opensageway 24 through ports 49 and 2B in the plug and housing respectively. Also ball valve 19 is seated to prevent communication through this valve between the pilot chamber and passageway 24.

Normal inhalation through the nozzle 81 will cause the diaphragm I4 to move inwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 4, since communication is established between the inner diaphragm chamber I5' and the nozzle through passageways 22 and 23. As the diaphragm moves inwardly,'shaft 53 moves to the position shown in Fig. 4, causing the bell crank levers 51 to pivot and slide the valve 6i to the position in Fig. 4, which unseats this valve and permits gas to enter the pilot chamber 48. It

will be noted that the front end of the primary valve will close ports 49 and 26 and prevents the gas from passing through these ports into the passageway 24.

Gas continues to enter the pilot chamber 48 until the pressure against the end surface of the cylinder 31 is suicient to move the cylinder to its position in Fig. 4, which movement unseats -the secondary valve 34 and permits gas to pass from the high pressure chamber through ports 4|, 42 and 21 into passageway 24, from which it passes through passageway 23 and the nozzle to the user. Gas pressure begins to build up as soon as the gas starts to enter the pilot chamber, and in normal operation the movement of the valve 6| and the cylinder 31 are such that these members are never in contact and' remain at least slightly spaced apart.

The amount. of gas pressure in pilot chamber 48 need not be great in order to move the cylinder 31. The movementof this cylinder is opposed by spring 40 which need only be sufllcientlyl strong to return the cylinder when no gas pressure is being utilized against the cylinder. Also, the cylinder movement is opposed by the gas in pressure chamber 43, but since the latter pressure acts over a relatively small area, it is quick` ly overcome. For example, as shown, the outside diameter of the cylinder 31 is about nine times the diameter of the opening at the valve seat 33, and thus the area of the cylinder surface upon which the gas pressure acts in the pilot chamber is about eighty-one times as large as the area acted upon by the gas pressure-in chamber 43. Thus, one normal inhalation by the user operates the device and quickly furnishes him with oxygen which he breathesV during said inhalation.

Upon completion ofthe inhalation, the exhaled gases are usually passed to the atmosphere through a valve arrangement in the mask with which we are not concerned here. halation stops, spring 63 and the slight build up up of gas pressure in the nozzle and adjacent passageways will return the diaphragh to its initial position, which movement will also return shaft 53, the bell crank levers 51 and valve 6I to their initial positions. It will be observed that as valve 6| returns it uncovers port 49 and allows the gas in the pilot chamber 48 to be released into passageway 24, and the other passages in communication therewith, and this gas will not interfere with the proper seating of the primary valve 6|' against its seat 66. Since the escape of gas from chamber 48 will release the pressure against cylinder 31, the spring 40 will return this cylinder to its initial position and seat the secondary valve 34.k The device is now ready for A the next inhalation by the user. During the secsq. in., so that the user would ond inhalation and subsequent inhalations, the small amount of gas remaining in the passageways in direct communication with the nozzle will quickly. pass to the user andbeneilt him until additional gas reaches him in the manner already described.

further inwardly and increase the forward move- -Y ment of the primary valve so that the latter will engage cylinder 31 and mechanically move this cylinder to at least substantially complete the opening of valve 34. This mechanical movement of cylinder 31 is indicated in Fig. 5, wherein the cylinder has not quite been moved to its full extent. After this emergency operation of `the device, the parts will return to tion in the same manner as normal operation.

Valve 19 acts as a event the gas described in the pressure relief valve in the pressure in pilot chamber 48 should build up beyond a desired maximum. For example, for the purpose of illustration, which is not to be considered as limiting to the assumed pressure, we will assume that the cylinler 31 is arranged to operate normally on a pressure o1' 5 lbs. per sq. in. in the pilot chamber, upon completion ofinhalations, gas underl this assumed pressure will be readily. evacuated from the pilot chamberA through ports 49 and 26, so that no pressure will'remain in the pilot chamber to oppose the return of cylinder'l to its starting position by the action of spring 40. Now, if. the pressure in the pilot chamber could build up beyond 5 lbs., for instance to 10 lbs. per sq. in.. the cylinder would still operate to open the valve 34, but its return would be delayed because there would be more gas to evacuate from the pilot chamber before the pressure in the latter would be relieved to permit spring 40 to function. Thus, the timing of the operation of the parts would be interfered with since valve 34 would be locked open at the end of inhalation, and the parts might not fully return to their initial positions by the time the user is ready for his next inhalation. 'I'his condition would be avoided, however, if valve 19 were set to open at any time the pressure in the pil-ot chamber builds up beyond 5 lbs. per be sure all the parts have returned to their initial position when he is ready for the next inhalation.

l In other words, after the desired maximum pressure in the pilot chamber has been determined for normal operation of the cylinder 31, so that opening and closing of the valve 34 is properly timed, the valve 19 is set to open at any time the pressure in the pilot chamber goes above this desired maximum, and any excess pressure in the pilot chamber will be relieved through valve 19, thus insuring a substantially correct maxlmum pressure in the pilot chamber when it is needed, and substantially complete evacuation o1' the latter chamber when no pressure is desired therein. As indicated in the previous paragraph, the desired maximum pressure in the pilot chamber might not be 5 lbs. per sq. in in all instances and this can be determined very easily and corrected for proper operation.

It is believed to be apparent that the invention is well calculated to secure the objects and advantages intended, and while I have shown and their initial posiand that described the preferred form of the invention it will be obvious that modications may be made therein without departing from the spirit o! the invention or from the scope of the subioined claims.

What is claimed ist, V

1. In a regulator of the character described having a pilot chamber adapted to receive gas under pressure, a. second chamber also adapted to receive gas under pressure, a passageway leading to the user of the regulator, a valve between said passageway and said second chamber, said valve being operable by gas pressure. in said first chamber to admit gas from said second chamber into said passageway, and means for supplying gas under pressure to both of said chambers.

2. In a regulator of the character described having a pilot chamber adapted to receive gas under pressure, a second chamber adapted to receive gas under a higher pressure than the gas in said pilot chamber, a passageway leading to the user of the regulator, a valve between said passageway and said second chamber, said valve being operable by gas pressure in said first charnber to admit gas from said second chamber into said passageway, and means for supplying gas under pressure to both of said chambers.

3. In a regulator of the character described having a chamber containing gas under pressure, a passageway leading to the user of the regulator, a valve betweensaid chamber and said passageway, a second chamber adapted to receive gas under pressure, said valve being operable by the pressure of gas in said second chamber to admit gas from said first chamber into said passageway, and means for admitting gas under 'pressure into said second chamber which means is operable by inhalation of the user of the regulator.

4. In a regulator of the character described having a chamber containing gas under pressure, a passageway leading to the user of the regulator, a valve between said chamber and said passageway, `a second chamber adapted to receive gas under a lower pressure than the gas in said rst chamber, said valve being operable by the pressure of gas in said second chamber to admit gas from said first chamber into said passageway, and means for admitting gas under pressure into said second chamber which means is operable by inhalation of the user of the regulator.

5. In a regulator of the character described having a chamber containing gas under pressure,

passageways leading from said chamber to the y user of the regulator, a valve initially seated between said chamber and passageways, a second and larger chamber adapted to receive gas under pressure from the same source as said first chamber, said valve being adapted to be unseated by gas pressure in the second chamber, and means operable by inhalation of the user of the regulator for admitting gas under pressure into said second chamber.

6. In a regulator of the character described, a large chamber and a small chamber adapted to receive gas under pressure, a common gas supply line between said chambers, a valve initially seated to oppose admission of said gas into said large chamber, a passageway between said small chamber and the user of the regulator, a 'second valve initially seated to prevent the flow of said gas out of said shall chamber into said passageway, said second valve being adapted to be unseated by gas pressure in said large chamber, and means for unseating said first valve by inhalation of the user of the regulator to admit gas under pressure into said large chamber.

7. In a regulator of the character described, a large chamber and a small chamber adapted to receive gas under pressure, a common gas supply line between said chambers, a valve seated to oppose admission of said gas into said large chamber, a passageway between said small chamber and the user of the regulator, a second valve initially seated to prevent the flow of gas out of said small chamber into said passageway, said second valve being adapted to be unseated by gas pressure in said large chamber, an initially opened port between said large chamber and said passageway, and means for unseating said first valve by inhalation ofI the user of the regulator to admit gas under pressure into said large chamber and simultaneously to close said port.

8. A regulator of the character described in claim 6 wherein said means comprises a diaphragm, a reciprocating shaft connected to said diaphragm, and a bell crank lever connected between said shaft and said first valve.

9. A regulator of the character described in claim 7 wherein said means comprises a diaphragm, a reciprocating shaft connected to said diaphragm, and a bell crank lever connected between said shait and said first valve.

10. In a regulator of the character described, a chamber containing gas under pressure, a passageway between the chamber and the user of the regulator, a valve initially seated to prevent the ow of gas out of said chamber into said passageway, a second chamber also adapted to receive gas under pressure, a second valve in the latter chamber initially seated to oppose admission of gas into said second chamber, said first valve being adapted to be completely opened by gas pressure in said second chamber under normal conditions, and means for unseating said second valve by normal inhalation of the user to admit gas under pressure into said second chamber, said means being further operable by inhalation ofthe user above normal to mechanically assist the gas pressure in said second chamber in opening said i'lrst valve.

v11. A regulator of the character described in claim l0 wherein said means comprises a diaphragm, a reciprocating shaft connected to said diaphragm, and a bell crank lever connected at one end to said shaft and at its other end to said second valve.

12. A regulator of the character described in claim 6 wherein said first valve comprises a member operable to mechanically unseat said second valve in the event the gas pressure in the large chamber is insufilcient to unseat same.

13. A regulator of the character described in claim'? wherein said rst valve comprises a member operable to mechanically unseat said second valve in the event the gas pressure in the large chamber is insuicient to unseat same.

14. In a regulator of the character described, a large chamber anda small chamber adapted to receive gas under pressure, a common gas supply line between said chambers, a valve initially seated to oppose admission of said gas into said large chamber, a passageway between said small chamber andthe user of the regulator, a second valve initialy seated to prevent the flow of said gas out of said small chamber into said passageway, said second valve being adapted to be unseated by gas pressure in said large chamber, means for unseatlng said first valve by inhalation of the user of the regulator to admit gas under pressure into said large chamber. and means for returning said nrst valve to its initial position after inhalation is completed.

15. In a regulator of the character described, a large chamber and a small chamber adapted to receive gas under pressure, a common 'gas supply line between said chambers, a valve initialy seated to oppose admission of said gas into said large chamber. a passageway between said -small chamber and the user of the regulator.

a second valve initially seated to prevent the flow of said gas out of said small chamber into said passageway, said second valve being adapted to be unseated bygas pressure in said large chamber, and a separate means for returning each of said valves to their initial positions after inhalation is completed.

' 16. In a regulator of the character described having a diaphragm movable in one direction by in-halation of the user, a spring for moving the diaphragm in the opposite direction, a chamber containing gas under pressure, 'a passageway leading from said chamber to the user, a valve initially seated to oppose the flow of gas from said chamber into said passageway, a second chamber adapted to receive gas under pressure to unseat said valve, a second valve in said second chamber initially seated to oppose admission of gas into the latter chamber, and means for unseating said second valve by movement oi' said 10 diaphragm irominhalation oi the user to admit gas under pressure into said second chamber to unseat said first valve.

17. A regulator oi the character described in claim 16 wherein said means comprises a reciprocating shaft connected to said diaphram and a bell crank lever connected between said shaft and said second valve.

18. A regulator of thecharacter described in claim 16 wherein said second valve comprises a member operable to mechanicaly unseat said first valve in the event the gas pressure in said second chamber is insumcient to unseat same.

19. A regulator of the character described in claim 6 wherein a relief valve is associated with 'said large chamber to relieve excess pressure therein beyond a predetermined maximum.

20. A regulator of the character described in claim 7 wherein a relief valve is associated with said largechamber to relieve excess pressure therein beyond a predetermined maximum.

LEONARD A. WIGGINS.

file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Swope et al. Mar. 8, 1932l f 

